www.phillyrecord.com
The Public Record • August 28, 2008
page 8
The Status Of Labor
This Labor Day Sep. 1, 2008
TEAMSTERS, young and old, will come by two-wheelers and 18-wheelers to join in the parade, which brings out Locals from Joint Council 21 of Teamsters. Look for them on Monday.
The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sep. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters & Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a "Labor Day" on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a Federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day. Who Are We Celebrating? 154.5 million Number of people 16 and older in the nation's labor force in May 2008, including 82.6 million men and 71.9 million women. Employee Benefits 82% Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2006. 77% Percentage of workers in private industry who receive a paid vacation as one of their employment benefits. In addition 77% of workers receive paid holidays; 15% have access to employer assistance for child care; 12% have access to long-term care insurance; 71% have access to medical care, 46% to dental care, 29% to vision care and 64% to outpatient prescription drug coverage. Our Jobs Americans work in a variety of occupations. Here is a sampling: Teachers, 7.1 million; hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, 778,000; chefs and head cooks, 345,000; taxi drivers and chauffeurs, 333,000; firefighters, 288,000; roofers, 269,000; pharmacists, 247,000; musicians, singers and related workers,170,000; gaming industry (gambling), 111,000; tax preparers, 104,000; service-station attendants, 90,000; logging workers, 88,000. 7.7 million Number of workers who hold down more than one job. So-called moonlighters comprise 5% of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job. (Cont. Page 11) I would like to thank everyone who extended their time and prayers to us, sent cards, flowers, fruit baskets, and meals to me and my family during the bereavement of my husband, Pledge Miller. We sincerely appreciated your kindness at our time of grief. It is the thoughtfulness of friends that gave us strength during this difficult time. From my heart, I thank you. Sincerely,
Vivian T. Miller and Family I would also like to extend my very best wishes for a happy and safe Labor Day Weekend.